Report Bias

Reporting a Bias Incident

In line with its mission, Core Values, and its Catholic, Mercy identity, Saint Xavier
University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community in which its
students can learn and grow. As part of that commitment, the Office of the Dean of Students encourages students to report behavior that discriminates, stereotypes, excludes
or harasses anyone in the community.

Purpose

Support SXU students who are targets or witnesses of bias incidents

Investigate incidents, take action when possible, and refer when appropriate

Definition

Bias incidents and/or hate crimes involve behavior that is motivated by bias or prejudice
against an individual or group of people based on personal characteristics or identity
including but not limited to: age, gender/gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual
orientation, religion, or disability. Hate crimes are bias incidents that include
a violation of criminal statute such as property damage, personal injury, or other
illegal conduct.

Examples

Bias incidents may take the form of:

Graffiti or signs

Verbal harassment or slurs

Written harassment or slurs

Telephone or email threat

Social Media post

Physical injury

Damage to property

Responses

A staff member from the Dean of Students will contact the individual making the report,
unless the reporter does not submit a name. (We strongly encourage students to submit
their names with reports so that appropriate follow-up can occur).

Depending on the nature of the report, the Dean of Students Office may implement one
or more of the following options:

Refer the case for Student Conduct

Refer the case to the Department of Public Safety

Provide educational programming or communication

Provide mediation

Implement intervention strategy

Recommend University practice or policy

Confidentiality

Professional staff members in the Dean of Students office regularly maintain confidential
information, and will do their best to be sensitive to and respectful of the wishes
of the reporter. Some bias incidents are more public than others, e.g. awareness of
graffiti in a residence hall will be more public than a private incident between two
people. If the incident rises to the level of a student conduct case and/or a criminal
act, options for pursuing those two avenues will in most cases be at the discretion
of the reporting student. Information regarding an immediate threat of harm to oneself
or others always requires a response by University staff.

Reporting

Additionally, reports can be made verbally or in writing to any member of the Dean
of Students staff, which includes staff in the departments of Campus Life, Residence
Life and Student Media. Public Safety officers, including those working at the desks
in the residence halls, on patrol, or at the Public Safety main office may also be
contacted.

Don’t think this is the right report for you? You can fill out a general incident
report online.